. >>> to our continuing coverage of the fiscal cliff. treasure secretary got blunt today about taxes. he said the obama administration will refuse any deal that keeps tax cuts in place for wealthy americans. republicans are meeting that idea with stiff resistance. >> reporter: with the clock ticking and the fiscal cliff looping closure he says the white house will only agree to a plan that includes higher tax rates. >> if they are going to force higher rates on all americans because they are unwilling for 2% of the americans, that is a choice they have to make. >> reporter: calling for $1.6 trillion in tax revenue. he insists the tax cuts must expire for the wealthiest americans. >> what we did is put forward a very carefully designed mix of tax reforms to put us on a path to fixing the debt. >> reporter: republicans did not welcome the proposal. >> i was disappointed by the president's proposal. i think it is a rerun of his budget patrol. it is $1.6 trillion. >> reporter: and expressing frustration with the lack of progress. >> i would